Oyster punching machine



July 6, `194s. L, DlcKERsQN' 2,444,636

oYsTER PUNCHING MACHINE Fiied Jan. 5, 1945 all-l ANY v.

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Patented `Iuly 6, 1948 l TED ES FPATENT ftl"(ZE.`

OYS'TERJPUNCHING MACHINE Leahy Dickerson,r Jamaica, Va.Applicatin'laiiary 5, ISSeriaI'No. 571,407

claims. l

This invention relates to an oyster punching machine.

It -is an object of the invention to provide a machine having a rotarycutter and means designed to position an oyster so the edge of the shellwill lie in the path of movement of the cutter whereby a portion of theshell will be cut away to provide an opening in which a knife may bereadily inserted to open the oyster.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a support andguide means for holding the oyster in position during the punchingoperation.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a machine whichwill permit inexperienced operators to rapidly open oysters withoutbreakage of knives or injury to the operator.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view oi the machine.

Fig. 2 is a topplan View of the same, and,

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of i1- lustration a preferredembodiment of the invention is shown the numeral 5 denotes a table orother suitable supporting structure for the machine. A base plate 6 ofrectangular outline is mounted on top of the table being xedly securedin place by bolts 1. The base plate is provided 'with a centrallongitudinal opening 8 adapted to register with an opening 9 in the topof the table. A hood I of semi-cylindrical shape covers the opening v8and is affixed to the top of the base plate by welding or otherwise. Ashaft I I extends axially of the hood with its ends projecting beyondthe ends of the hood and journaled in suitable bearings I2 mounted onthe table, A pulley I3 is axed on one end of the shaft for connectingthe shaft to a suitable prime mover for rotating the shaft. A cutter barI4 extends diametrically through the shaft II intermediate the length ofthe hood, and at each end is provided with an angular cutting edge I5adapted to revolve in the slot I6 formed in the hood. The top of thehood on opposite sides of the slot I6 is provided with recesses I'Iforming a seat to receive the edge of the oyster shell to be opened. Aypair of upstanding guide bars I8 extend longitudinally of the top ofthe hood on opposite sides of the recesses I'I and are secured to thehood by fasteners I9.

In use, the oyster to be punched is placed between the guide bars I8with the edge seated in the recesses I'I. The recesses are of such depththe edge of the oyster shell is disposed in the path of movement of thecutting edges I5 of the cutter bar I4 upon rotation of the shaft Il. Itwill be apparent that the guide bars IB contact the sides of the oystershell serving to brace and hold the oyster against displacement when thecutter bar strikes the edge of the shell. The shaft II is rotated at avery high speed causing the cutter bar to instantly punch the edge ofthe oyster shell when inserted in the machine. The broken pieces ofshell drop through the openings 8 and 9 and may be collected in asuitable container placed beneath the table. The opening formed in theedge of the oyster shell is of sufficient size to permit a knife to bereadily inserted and the oyster opened.

It is to be understood the form of the invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatchanges in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hoodmounted over said shaft, and a cutter bar extending radially from saidshaft having cutting edges at its ends adapted to move in .a slot formedin said hood, said hood having recesses on opposite sides of the slot toreceive and position an oyster shell in the path of movement of thecutter bar.

2. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hoodmounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending radially from said shaft:having its ends dispose-d in a slot formed in said hood, said hoodhaving recesses in the top on 0pposite sides of the slot to receive andposition the edge of an oyster shell in the path of movement of saidcutter bar, and spaced guide bars on the top of said hood for supportingthe sides of the oyster shell.

3. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hoodmounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending through and radiallyfrom said shaft with its ends bent at an angle and sharpened to providecutting edges, said hood having a slot in which the cutting edges ofsaid cutter bar travel, and guide bars extending longitudinally of thetop of said hood in spaced parallel relation for supporting an oyster sothe edge of the shell is in the path of movement of the cutting edges ofsaid cutter bar.

4. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a, hoodmounted over said shaft, a cutter bar extending through and radiallyfrom said shaft and having cutting edges at its ends, said hood having`a slot in which the cutting edges of said cutter bar revolve, the topof the hood on opposite sides of the slot being provided with recessesto receive the edge of the oyster shell and position it in the path ofmovement of the cutting edges, and upstanding guide bars extendinglongitudinally of the top of said hood on opposite sides of the recessesfor supporting the sides of the oyster shell.

5. An oyster punching machine comprising a rotatable shaft, a hoodmounted over said shaft having a, slot to receive the edge of an oyster,and a cutter bar extending radially from said shaft and having cuttingedges at its ends movable in said slot.

LEARY DICKERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 332,403 Leduc Dec. 15, 1885663,455 Muehlberg Dec. 11, 1900 873,844 Covert Dec. 17, 1907 2,177,025La Chapelle Oct. 24, 1939 2,299,311 Dickerson Oct. 20, 1942

